Oregon senior Arsalan Kazemi (left), seen here during the Ducks' game against Cincinnati last week, had 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, three blocks and five steals against Texas-San Antonio on Thursday.Julie Jacobson/The Associated Press

EUGENE — He has only one season of eligibility with the
Oregon men's basketball team, and senior transfer Arsalan Kazemi has quickly
made his presence felt in this young, suddenly promising season.

Kazemi continued his impressive start
in a UO uniform Thursday night, filling up the boxscore with a game-high 20
points to go with six rebounds, four assists, three blocks and five steals in
23 minutes, leading Oregon to a 95-78 victory over Texas-San Antonio at Matthew
Knight Arena.

Not coincidentally, the Ducks improved to 6-1 to continue
their best start to a season since 2007-08.

"It's great. I'm really happy," Kazemi said afterward in his
first interview with Oregon media.

The 6-foot-7 Kazemi, the first native Iranian to play
Division I basketball, made his second start, and fifth appearance, for the
Ducks since the NCAA declared him eligible on Nov. 15. He left Rice in
September and claimed poor treatment from Rice coaches in his waiver with the
NCAA. In a statement, Rice said claims of discrimination are "unfounded."

"I had a tough period of time (leaving Rice), and I put that
behind and every game that goes by I get more comfortable with my new teammates,"
Kazemi said.

"It's a big adjustment," he added. "I was kind of the big
man at Rice. Now coming here I'm kind of like the small man here; if everyone's
not the same height, they're taller than me."

His only complaint: He can't find an Iranian restaurant in
Eugene. Other than that, he's transition has, on the court at least, looked especially
smooth.

Kazemi was a force early and always Thursday. After UTSA won
the opening tip, Kazemi got a quick steal that led to an intention foul and his
two free throws. He then scored the game's final points after another steal
near midcourt that led to his breakaway, reserve dunk — the last of his five
dunks in the game.

"Arsalan created a lot of havoc," UO coach Dana Altman said.

NOTES: Former Oregon coach Ernie Kent, fired in March 2010, watched
the Ducks play in Matthew Knight Arena for the first time. Kent is now working
as a broadcaster for Pac-12 Networks; he's scheduled to analyze a handful of
other UO games this season. ... The Ducks' point total was a season high and they
shot a season-best 63 percent from the field. ... Center Tony Woods came off the
bench for the first time this season and had 15 points. Freshman point guard
Dominic Artis had 16 points, four assists, three steals and four turnovers, and
center Waverly Austin added 10 points. ... Altman's biggest gripe afterward was Oregon's 18
turnovers. "When you have 18 turnovers," he said, "it's hard to get excited." ...
UO will play host to Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.